MODA fines Meta NT$2.5 million over delayed fake ads removal

Taipei, Aug. 21 (CNA) The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) has fined Meta Platforms Inc. NT$2.5 million (US$81,914) for its inadequate response to an order requiring the removal of false advertisement on its social media platform Facebook.

The fine was imposed on Meta over the latter's failure to remove false advertisement on Facebook within 24 hours of being notified by Taipei City government, which constitutes a violation of the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act, MODA's Administration for Digital Industries said Thursday.

It explained that the fine was based on two cases submitted by the Taipei City government on June 18 and on July 14.

The city government notified the company of a total of 1,763 infractions relating to Facebook between the two dates.

Of the infractions, 77 were for Meta's failure to remove false ads from Facebook within 24 hours.

The administration explained that while Meta had already complied with the order from Taipei City government and removed 95 percent of the reported ads in a timely manner, 5 percent failed to meet the 24-hour deadline.

As Taipei City issued its findings to Meta via hardcopy rather than digital notifications, the administration said the Silicon Valley giant was unable to remove the remaining 5 percent of fake ads discovered by the city government within the required timeframe.

On top of the NT$2.5 million fine, MODA also demanded Meta rectify the mistake in its protocols within 30 days, according to the administration.

The remaining 1,686 of the 1,763 infractions identified by Taipei City government to Meta focused on the inadequate transparency of the company in terms of advertiser-related information.

In those cases, the administration noted that Meta has turned the information over to Taiwan's National Police Agency (NPA).

With Meta cooperating, the administration said it will work with the Ministry of the Interior to establish a direct line of communication between tech companies like Meta and local municipalities.

The system will encourage social media businesses to remove fake ads and thereby lower the risks posed to Taiwanese users, the administration said.